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Sunday, December 25, 2011

Christmas Special.

Happy holidays to everyone! I can't fathom that Christmas, along with everything else, is here and has gone by so fast. There is something really strange about this year in particular that seems to have gone by in the blink of an eye, and I'm totally bewildered at the whole thing. But I suppose that's what happens, and in the meantime I'll look for, and gladly participate in, any excuse to dress up.

I haven't had a proper Christmas dress in years, but this year when I was shopping for some extra goodies to wrap up for the holiday, I had a particular dress in mind at my favorite vintage/antique store. The dress was mustard colored, a kind of brocade almost, with a full skirt and velvet bow at the waist. I remember it was there last January, but I didn't buy it because I wasn't entirely sure if I needed it, and it had a really funny crinoline inside. It had been there all summer long, just waiting, and finally I decided it would be a perfect holiday dress--I would just sever the damaged and uncomfortable crinoline from it's shell and deal with the rest that way. But of course, it was nowhere to be found. No matter how much I pawed in the piles of dresses and suits did I find it. I did however, head to the dressing room with an armload of other dresses to try on, and this was among them.

It's pretty much a perfect Christmas dress, and I have every intention of dousing the whole thing with pink accessories to make it a Valentine's day frock. The downside is that I tore a hole in the arm while reaching to arrange one of my tulle bows, but these things can always be mended, and as any lover of vintage garments knows, there is no use crying over a split seam.

And anyway, it was a really exciting chance to wear my favorite little hair decorations. I've had these little jewels for ages, and they are always just the thing to stick in when earrings or necklaces seem like too much. And of course I feel weird and naked without something on my head, so this hugely ephemeral black bow had to go on, if only to make things ever-so-slightly more theatrical!

If you follow me on twitter or instagram you have seen all my various wardrobe changes and adventures, but this is one of four outfits I ended up in today. One of them involved a dish towel.

A big thanks to my mom for taking pictures today, so I didn't have to freeze alone with my tripod!

Now I'm going to get tucked into my PJs as fast as I can, and see if I can't squeeze in enough time to watch the Downton Abbey Christmas Special! I've already been spoiled for it, but I still can't wait!

49 comments:

oh my word what a perfect, PERFECT christmas dress. i have serious dress envy going on. i love the deep scarlet colour, the bow at the waist, the perfect neckline and the fact that its velvet! the bow compliments it perfectly! i love your hair jewels - where did you get them from? i haven't seen them around since 2002, but they add the most delicate touch of festive glitz to this PERFECT outfit. merry xmas xx

It is such a gorgeous dress, this is my favourite Christmas outfit that I've seen so far.The way you've styled your hair really reminds me of Mary Grantham's hair. I'm sitting here waiting for the Christmas special of Downton Abbey to download and just want to scream from impatience! I want to know what happens to Sybil and Branson next...

That really is a perfect Christmas dress, you look so pretty! I love the tie on it & great hair accessories, so seasonal. Sad you never found that dress but this one def makes up for it, get bow waistline. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas, albeit quick : )

I have been looking for a dress like that for ages! I love this outfit, and you look so pretty! Has anyone ever told you that you look really like Michelle Dockery (I don't know if she's famous where you live, but she looks just like you).From Carys of La Ville Inconnue

I just started a new blog. Its called "Same Same But Different". I would like to share with you my view on fashion, art and other amazing things. I hope you will enjoy the posts of my outfits, fashion illustrations and things which are a part of my life. I am happy about every comment or message. And please dont hasitate to criticize or to leave a healpful suggestion.

You look so beautiful! And your skin is like porcelain. Whoa. Happy Holidays to you! A lot of my vintage clothes have holes, because the material is fragile, but as you said, they can be mended. This dress would totally work as a V-day dress too. Yay!

I adore this dress. The velvet, the bow, the color, all things that I love right now. I never thought about recycling Christmas reds as Valentine's Day outfits, that's genius! I'm very glad I stumbled across your blog, I adore your style.

The way you have designed your locks really tells me of Betty Grantham's locks. I'm relaxing here awaiting the Xmas unique of Downton Abbey to obtain and just want to shout from impatience! I want to know what happens to Sybil and Branson next.Jamaica Blue Mountain peaberry coffee

PERFECT xmas outfit. i have serious outfit jealousy going on. i love the deeply scarlet color, the bow at the hips, the best neck-line and the truth that its velvet! the bow flatters it perfectly!Soft Skills Training

That really is a perfect Christmas dress, you look so pretty! I love the tie on it & great hair accessories, so seasonal. Sad you never found that dress but this one def makes up for it, get bow waistline. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas, albeit quick.Study Abroad Delhi

I really like this outfit. The purple velvety, the bow, large, all things that I love right now. I never thought about recycle Xmas whites as Valentine Day clothing, that's genius! I'm very grateful I came across your site, I really like your design.

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